Pierre Berge, Yves Saint Laurent’s partner, dead at 86
Pierre Berge was the partner of the late designer Yves Saint Laurent, with whom he founded the famous fashion label in 1961
The French fashion tycoon Pierre Berge – the business brains behind the Yves Saint Laurent empire – has died aged 86, his foundation said Friday.
Berge, the long-time partner of the late designer Yves Saint Laurent, died in his sleep early Friday at his country home at Saint-Remy-de-Provence in southern France, the foundation said.
A passionate bibliophile and art collector, he was also a tireless campaigner for gay rights and donated a large part of his fortune to Aids research.
Politically engaged to the end, he was an important backer and confidant of French president Francois Mitterand, and this year threw his weight behind Emmanuel Macron’s successful campaign for the Elysee Palace.
Former French culture minister Jack Lang led the tributes to a man he called a “true prince of the arts and culture.”